Appreciate benefits won by unions

Cambridge Times

I was quite surprised to read the organizer of the Galt Skating Races, a former teacher, wasn’t a big fan of unions (editorial, Feb. 1). I would like to remind Mr. Schlei that it was his union that negotiated his salary increases and benefit packages while he was teaching.

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His union negotiated planning time increases and a cap on supervision time. It was his union that was ready to provide Mr. Schlei with legal protection.

It was Mr. Schlei’s union that negotiated the generous retirement gratuity that he collected when he left the profession.

It is the union that continues to fight for health and safety in the workplace. It is the union that advocates for the rights of women and children, not just here in Ontario, but around the world.

Sadly, the collective bargaining rights of education workers have been taken away by the provincial Liberals. Perhaps, if Mr. Schlei reflects on the role the union has played in his career and in the lives of Ontario’s workers, he might become more of a fan.